Time Is Quickly Running Out On 3 Key Steelers Players They Can't Afford To Lose

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot on their to-do list now that Mike McCarthy is in the Steel City. McCarthy brings 18 seasons of NFL head coaching experience, and the Pittsburgh native is eager to shift the momentum in a positive direction for this franchise. Under Mike Tomlin, the Steelers were consistently competitive in the regular season, but they have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. McCarthy will be tasked with trying to end that drought.

To do so, McCarthy will need a successful 2026 free agency period. For the 2026 season, the signing period officially kicks off at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, which also marks the start of the new league year. Two days earlier, at noon ET on Monday, March 9, teams are legally permitted to begin negotiating with unrestricted free agents during the legal tampering period.

It is pivotal that Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and McCarthy get this right, as year one will set the tone for the new era following Tomlin. Pittsburgh has 26 pending free agents, but these three stand out as the most critical. Khan and McCarthy should prioritize signing them to extensions to keep them in Pittsburgh before other teams get a chance to lure them away once the legal tampering period begins.

1. Calvin Austin III

The Steelers’ wide receiver room has been in shambles for several seasons now. The 2026 NFL Draft is expected to be loaded at the position, but betting on multiple rookies to come in and immediately produce is a tough ask.

Just look at what has happened with Roman Wilson. The Steelers selected him with hopes he would help solve the problem, yet two years into his career, the third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has barely seen the field, and that is in a weak receiver room.

Calvin Austin III's market value sits at $4.9 million per year, according to Spotrac. He has proven to be reliable and worth that number, and situationally it makes sense to keep him. When healthy, he has been solid. He is the perfect complement to DK Metcalf and whoever ultimately fills the WR2 role.

2. Kenneth Gainwell

This one’s obvious. After Kenneth Gainwell made that catch in Detroit right before halftime, it became clear how special he is. Fluke play or not, Gainwell has already proven to be a great value player. While he may command more on the open market in free agency, his current market value of $3 million a year seems almost too good to be true.

If Pittsburgh wants to offer Gainwell a deal that is both sweet and responsible, it would make sense to do everything possible to secure him, if they can, pairing him with Jaylen Warren to maintain their dynamic one-two punch.

3. Asante Samuel Jr.

There are other options, but for the three most critical free agents to keep, Asante Samuel Jr. finishes at the top of the list. There were question marks before Pittsburgh signed him to their practice squad on November 11, 2025, but he proved himself every time he was given a chance during the 2025 season. 

At 26 years old, it feels like a wise investment for Khan to make sure Samuel remains on that defense. Having Samuel opposite Joey Porter Jr. could be the cornerback tandem Pittsburgh needs in this new era.

Steelers Must Lock In Their Core Free Agents Fast

Samuel Jr. and Porter Jr. give the secondary stability. With the new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham in town, that will be essential. 

Gainwell and Warren form a dynamic running back duo that proved to be productive in the 2025 season. Austin provides reliable production at wide receiver. Making sure that the Steelers secure these players sets Pittsburgh up for long-term success.

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